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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate an understanding of the effects of natural phenomena and human activities on marine ecosystems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
263295  Demonstrate an understanding of the effects of natural phenomena and human activities on marine ecosystems 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Nature Conservation 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Nature Conservation 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is aimed at individuals operating in marine environments who are required to understand marine ecosystems and the effects of man made and natural perturbations on such an ecosystem.The knowledge gained will contribute towards the effective management of species within the ecosystem and understanding the effects of exploitation on the environment in particular as it applies to the marine resources conservation environment.

On achievement of this unit standard individuals will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the interaction and inter-dependence of species in relation to the conserving of species in the marine environment.
  • Explain the impact of physical processes on fish stocks.
  • Explain the effects of excessive predation from a natural and human perspective. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Communication Literacy at NQF Level 4.
  • Numerical Literacy at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the interaction and inter-dependence of species in relation to the conserving of species in the marine environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The most commonly encountered species of marine organisms and their interaction with their environment are identified in the area of operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effect of the natural environment on species is explained in relation to its impact on inter-dependence and species interaction. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Environment includes but is not limited to:
  • The Agulhas and Benguela currents, red-current, species imbalances, species replacement.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The importance of preserving the biodiversity is explained in relation to the interaction and inter-dependence of species in the marine environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The role of marine protected areas is explained in the maintaining and conserving of species in the marine environment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Marine protected areas include but is not limited to sanctuaries, reservoirs of biodiversity, baseline study areas.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the impact of physical processes on fish stocks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The physical processes impacting on fish stocks are identified as it applies to marine eco-systems. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Physical processes includes but is not limited to:

    Upwelling, frontal systems, thermoclines and vertical mixing.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effect of physical processes are explained as it pertains to its impact on fish stock. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The implications of the impact of physical processes are explained as it applies to the conserving of species in the marine environment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain the effects of excessive predation from a natural and human perspective. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Excessive predation is explained as it applies to a natural and human perspective. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Change in species composition is explained as it applies to natural and human interference. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Unintended effects on apparently unrelated species are explained in terms of its affect on the marine environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Changes in the age of sexual maturity of species are explained in terms of the effect of over exploitation. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing an individual against this unit standard must meet the assessor requirements of the relevant ETQA. In particular, such assessors must demonstrate that they assess in terms of the scope and context defined in all the range statements.
  • Any institution offering learning towards this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • External moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Marine biology.
  • Ecology. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Information evaluation:
  • The unit standard supports the gathering, assessment and evaluation of information in the understanding of specific impacts of natural and human activities on the marine ecosystem. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Inter-relatedness of systems:
  • The interrelatedness of systems as it applies to the marine ecosystem is supported by the standard as it evaluates and considers the impact of human and natural activities on the marine environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Demonstration of the knowledge and skills outlined in this unit standard must be consistent with the principles of:
  • Maintaining essential ecological processes and life-support systems.
  • Maintaining genetic, species and ecosystem diversity.
  • Considering ecological and social rights and responsibilities, whilst ensuring sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems, thereby yielding the greatest sustainable and equitable benefit to present generations whilst maintaining the potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  66149   Further Education and Training Certificate: Fisheries Resource Compliance  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2015-06-30  TETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.